Imaging apparatus and focus control method

Abstract

It is intended to provide an imaging apparatus and a focus control method that can prevent AF speed reduction even at the occurrence of a flicker. A system control unit 11 of a digital camera having a solid-state imaging device 5 that shoots a subject via an imaging lens 1 including a focus lens selectively performs one of a first focus control for controlling the focus lens so as to move it to a focus position by a phase difference AF method and a second focus control for controlling the focus lens so as to move it to a focus position by a contrast AF method. The system control unit 11 selects and performs the first focus control in a state that a flicker detection unit 12 has detected a flicker.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
 an imaging device that shoots a subject via an imaging optical system, the imaging optical system including a focus lens; and 
 at least one central processing unit (CPU) configured to 
 selectively perform one of a first focus control for controlling the focus lens so as to move the focus lens to a focus position by a phase difference AF method and a second focus control for controlling the focus lens so as to move the focus lens to a focus position by a contrast AF method; and 
 detect a flicker, 
 wherein the at least one central processing unit decides which of the first focus control and the second focus control should be performed selectively at least according to whether a flicker has been detected, 
 the imaging device comprises plural first phase difference pixels that receive one of a pair of light beams that pass through different portions of a pupil region of the imaging optical system and plural second phase difference detection pixels that receive other of the pair of light beams, 
 in a state that a flicker has been detected, the at least one central processing unit selects the first focus control if an exposure time of the imaging device that is necessary for the first focus control is shorter than or equal to a threshold value and selects the second focus control if the exposure time is longer than the threshold value, and 
 where the at least one central processing unit selects the second focus control method in the state that a flicker has been detected, the at least one central processing unit sets an exposure time of the imaging device of each of plural times of shooting necessary for the second focus control at a natural number multiple of a cycle of the detected flicker. 
 
     
     
       2. The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one central processing unit selects the first focus control until establishment of a state that a flicker can be detected.